7 February 2004 - Crocodile Café, Seattle, WAsupport: Steve Turner, Eddie Spaghetti
set: Bambi Molester / Dear My Inspiration / In A Lonely Coffin / Lodi / The Forgotten Fridays / Courage Is The Smallest Bird / One Bar At The Time / Where Will You Go? / The Town That Lost Its Groove Supply / I Don’t Want To Fuck Off Anymore / Wouldn't Want To Care / Retrieval Of You / You Can't Do That / The Days Of Wine And Booze / You Don't Mean It / Where The Wires Meet The Skies / Strychnine
encore: Ghost Tarts Of Stockholm / Lies Of The Living Dead / I'm Not Bitter / Mary Lou / Over The Sea
notes: The Minus 5 (Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, John Ramberg & Bill Rieflin), with Ben Gibbard

17 February 2004event: 'In Time: The Best Of R.E.M. 1988-2003' is certified Gold (sales of 500,000) in the US

23 February - 30 April 2004 - Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamaspossible tracks recorded: On The Fly / The Outsiders / The Ascent Of Man / Leaving New York / Magnetic North / Aftermath / New Loud Compass Point (Tomorrow) / Leaving New York / Electron Blue / Make It All Okay / Final Straw / I'm Gonna DJ / Weatherman
notes: Recording Sessions for Around The Sun, with Pat McCarthy

13 April 2004 - Heroes Awards, Cannon Center For The Performing Arts, Memphis, TNnotes: Heroes Awards ceremony, by the Memphis Chapter of the National Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences. Mike Mills presents a Hero Award to Big Star, who also perform 'In The Street'

3 May 2004 - Crocodile Café, Seattle, WAsupport: The Divorces, Jon Auer
set: You Don't Mean It / The Little Black Egg / Twilight Distillery / Where Will You Go? / Courage Is The Smallest Bird / The Town That Lost Its Groove Supply / In A Lonely Coffin / I Was Drunk / I'm Not Bitter / The Forgotten Fridays / I Still Miss Someone / I Don't Want To Fuck Off Anymore / Lies Of The Living Dead / Strychnine / The Days Of Wine And Booze
notes: The Minus 5 (Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, John Ramberg & Bill Rieflin), someone from No Vote Left Behind joined the band on lead vocals to sing 'Strychnine'.

12 May 2004 - Egg Studios, Seattle, WAtracks recorded included: The Town That Lost Its Groove Supply (Seattle In Rock Version)
notes: Recording Sessions for The Minus 5, produced by Johnny Sangster. Peter Buck plays bass on 'The Town That Lost Its Groove Supply'

17 May - July 2004 - The Hit Factory Criteria Miami, Miami, FLpossible tracks recorded: Make It All Okay / The Worst Joke Ever / I'm Gonna DJ / Around The Sun / Electron Blue / I Wanted To Be Wrong / High Speed Train / Boy In The Well / Wonderlust / Final Straw / Aftermath / The Ascent Of Man
notes: Recording & Mixing Sessions for Around The Sun, with Pat McCarthy

18 August 2004 - Various Radio Stations, London, Englandnotes: Michael Stipe drops off R.E.M.'s new single 'Leaving New York' to Virgin Radio, Xfm London 104.9, BBC Radio 6, which play the single that day

23 August - 3 September 2004 - R.E.M.'s West Clayton Street Studio, Athens, GAtracks recorded included: High Speed Train / All The Right Friends / So Fast, So Numb / Wonderlust / Permanent Vacation / These Days / Exhuming McCarthy / I've Been High / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The Outsiders / Boy In The Well
notes: Rehearsal Sessions for upcoming tour

15 September 2004 - St. James's Church, London, Englandset: Animal / So Fast, So Numb / Boy In The Well / Wanderlust / She Just Wants To Be / Final Straw / I Wanted To Be Wrong / E-Bow The Letter / Around The Sun / Aftermath / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid
encore: Leaving New York / Imitation Of Life / Man On The Moon
notes: Secret Fan Club / BBC Radio 2 contest winners gig. Thom Yorke from Radiohead guests on 'E-Bow The Letter'

16 September 2004 - Xfm London 104.9, Xfm London 104.9 Studios, London, England notes: Interview with the band

18 September 2004 - Festivalbar 2004, Arena Di Verona, Verona, Italyother acts performing: Bryan Adams, Piero Palu, Jamelia & Tiziano Ferro, Francesco Renga, Emma Bunton, Black-Eyed Peas, Mark Knopfler
set: Leaving New York / Bad Day / Leaving New York
notes: 'Leaving New York' was played a second time with a wardrobe change, which was broadcast the next day (the airing was over two days)

R.E.M.: The One I Love / Animal / Leaving New York / Life And How To Live It / Cuyahoga / Final Straw / Imitation Of Life / I Wanted To Be Wrong / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Bad Day (w/ Bruce Springsteen) / Man On The Moon (w/ Springsteen)

4 October 2004event: 'Around The Sun' is released outside North America

4 October 2004 - 400 Bar, Minneapolis, MNother acts performing: M.Ward, Kraig Johnson & The Program, Bright Eyes
The Minus 5: Dear My Inspiration / Courage Is The Smallest Bird / The Town That Lost Its Groove Supply / I Don't Want To Fuck Off Anymore / I'm Not Bitter / The Days Of Wine And Booze / Lies Of The Living Dead / The Night Chicago Died Again (The Death Of The Minus 5) / Find A Finger / Don't Be Denied
Kraig Johnson & The Program: Right To Me / Sun Signed / Outta Town / Lonely Man / So Silently / The Losing End (When You're On) / Green Love / Freight Train
notes: The Minus 5 (Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, Bill Rieflin & Ken Stringfellow), with Jessy Greene. Scott McCaughey joined Kraig Johnson & The Program on guitar & backing vocals as well as Gary Louris on 'The Losing End (When You're On)' & Peter Buck joined on guitar on 'Freight Train' on their set, after The Minus 5. This was a benefit for Karl Mueller & Michael Stipe was also in attendance.

R.E.M. World Tour 04-05

North America Tour

13 October 2004 - Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CAsupport: Five Eight
soundcheck: Aftermath (Instrumental) / Wanderlust (Instrumental) / Boy In The Well (Instrumental) / Leaving New York / Aftermath / Wanderlust / Electrolite / Permanent Vacation / Begin The Begin
set: Begin The Begin / Animal / So Fast, So Numb / Boy In The Well / World Leader Pretend / Leaving New York / The One I Love / Electrolite / Aftermath / Cuyahoga / Final Straw / Bad Day / Around The Sun / She Just Wants To Be / Imitation Of Life / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Country Feedback / Welcome To The Occupation / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: First night of the tour and first performance of new song 'I'm Gonna DJ' which was not on the original setlist, along with 'Country Feedback'. 'Permanent Vacation' added during the encore
setlist

15 October 2004 - The Greek Theatre, University Of California At Berkeley, Berkeley, CAsupport: Five Eight
soundcheck: (Don't Go Back To) Rockville / I've Been High / The Outsiders / Aftermath / Begin The Begin
set: Begin The Begin / So Fast, So Numb / Drive / Animal / The Outsiders / Welcome To The Occupation / Wanderlust / Bad Day / Electrolite / Leaving New York / These Days / I Wanted To Be Wrong / (Don't Go Back To) Rockville / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Cuyahoga / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: First live appearance of 'The Outsiders', with Stipe singing the rap part. Peter also joins Five Eight to cover Lou Reeds song 'I Can't Stand It'

16 October 2004 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Irvine, CAsupport: Five Eight
soundcheck: Make It All Okay / At My Most Beautiful / Aftermath / High Speed Train / Get Up (x2) / High Speed Train (snippet)
set: Get Up / Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / Animal / The Outsiders / So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) / Aftermath / World Leader Pretend / Leaving New York / Bad Day / Have You Ever Seen The Rain? (snippet) / So Fast, So Numb / I Wanted To Be Wrong / Star 69 / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Drive / Country Feedback / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: 'Country Feedback', 'Permanent Vacation' and 'I'm Gonna DJ' were not on the original setlist, all were added during the encore. Peter joins Five Eight to cover Lou Reeds song 'I Can't Stand It'
setlist

19 October 2004 - Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO support: Now It's Overhead
set: Begin The Begin / So Fast, So Numb / Animal / Boy In The Well / Exhuming McCarthy / The Outsiders / Electrolite / High Speed Train / Bad Day / Drive / Imitation Of Life / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The One I Love / Final Straw / Find The River / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Leaving New York / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: First live performance of 'High Speed Train'

20 October 2004 - Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN support: Now It's Overhead
set: Around The Sun / Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / So Fast, So Numb / Animal / Boy In The Well / Cuyahoga / Aftermath / Welcome To The Occupation / High Speed Train / Bad Day / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The One I Love / She Just Wants To Be / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Leaving New York / Drive / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon

22 October 2004 - Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN support: Trent Dabbs
set: Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / So Fast, So Numb / Animal / Boy In The Well / I've Been High / Make It All Okay / The One I Love / Aftermath / Bad Day / The Outsiders / (Don't Go Back To) Rockville / Electrolite / She Just Wants To Be / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Leaving New York / Exhuming McCarthy / I Wanted To Be Wrong / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon

23 October 2004 - The Arena At Gwinnett Center, Duluth, GA support: Now It's Overhead
set: Get Up / Begin The Begin / These Days / Animal / Boy In The Well / Driver 8 / High Speed Train / So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) / The Outsiders / Bad Day / I Wanted To Be Wrong / Drive / Imitation Of Life / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: Nightswimming / What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Leaving New York / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon

26 October 2004 - Auditorium Theatre, Auditorium Building, Chicago, IL support: Angela McCluskey
set: Begin The Begin / These Days / Welcome To The Occupation / Animal / Boy In The Well / Drive / World Leader Pretend / High Speed Train / Cuyahoga / Make It All Okay / Electrolite / Bad Day / I Wanted To Be Wrong / She Just Wants To Be / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Star 69 / Aftermath / Leaving New York / The One I Love / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon

27 October 2004 - Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH support: Now It's Overhead
set: Around The Sun / Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / Exhuming McCarthy / Animal / Boy In The Well / Cuyahoga / High Speed Train / Drive / Electron Blue / The One I Love / Bad Day / I Wanted To Be Wrong / Imitation Of Life / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Leaving New York / Sweetness Follows / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: First live performance of 'Electron Blue'

29 October 2004 - FleetCenter, Boston, MA support: Angela McCluskey
set: Around The Sun / Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / Exhuming McCarthy / Animal / Welcome To The Occupation / Boy In The Well / High Speed Train / World Leader Pretend / The Outsiders / The One I Love / Bad Day / I Wanted To Be Wrong / Imitation Of Life / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Drive / Leaving New York / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon

30 October 2004 - Borgata Event Center, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, NJ support: Angela McCluskey
set: Around The Sun / Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / So Fast, So Numb / Animal / Boy In The Well / Get Up / High Speed Train / Maps And Legends / The Outsiders / Electrolite / Bad Day / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: Happy Birthday To Ken Stringfellow / What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Drive / Leavng New York / I've Been High / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: Happy Birthday was sung for Ken Stringfellow in English and French

1 November 2004 - DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. support: Angela McCluskey
set: Around The Sun / Begin The Begin / These Days / Animal / Boy In The Well / Cuyahoga / High Speed Train / So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) / Electron Blue / Imitation Of Life / The Ascent Of Man / Bad Day / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Country Feedback / Leavng New York / Born To Run / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: 'Final Straw' was dedicated to Mike's friend Bernie. First live performance of 'The Ascent Of Man'
review

4 November 2004 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY support: Angela McCluskey
set: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) / Begin The Begin / So Fast, So Numb / Animal / Boy In The Well / Welcome To The Occupation / The Outsiders / Get Up / High Speed Train / Cuyahoga / Sweetness Follows / The One I Love / I Wanted To Be Wrong / Imitation Of Life / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Drive / Leaving New York / Electrolite / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: First time 'It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' has ever opened a show. 'Permanent Vacation' featured Steve Wynn

5 November 2004 - Mohegan Sun Arena, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CTsupport: Joseph Arthur
set: Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / These Days / Animal / Boy In The Well / Exhuming McCarthy / The Outsiders / Electrolite / High Speed Train / Imitation Of Life / Around The Sun / Bad Day / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Drive / Leaving New York / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon

7 November 2004 - A.J. Palumbo Center, Duquesne University Of The Holy Spirit, Pittsburgh, PAsupport: Joseph Arthur
set: Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / The Wake-Up Bomb / Animal / Boy In The Well / Imitation Of Life / High Speed Train / So. Central Rain (I'm Sory) / The Outsiders / Electrolite / I've Been High / The One I Love / I Wanted To Be Wrong / (Don't Go Back To) Rockville / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Drive / Sweetness Follows / Leaving New York / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: Joseph Arthur was introduced by Michael at the start of his opening set.

8 November 2004 - Dissent., London, Canadanotes: Nihilist Spasm Band show. Peter, Scott & Ken join the Nihilist Spasm Band in a jam session into the early hours.

11 November 2004 - Ottawa Civic Centre Arena, Ottawa, Canadasupport: Joseph Arthur
set: Get Up / Begin The Begin / The Wake-Up Bomb / Animal / Boy In The Well / Driver 8 / High Speed Train / World Leader Pretend / The Outsiders / Imitation Of Life / Leaving New York / Cuyahoga / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Find The River / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: Michael Stipe dedicated 'The Outsiders' to Canadian veterans in honour of Remembrance Day. Michael also mentioned the last time R.E.M. played Ottawa (Barrymore's, 17 August 1985), and asked the crowd who was at that show & said 'it was one of the most fucked-up shows of our entire 24 year career, I believe we were overserved that night'. Joseph Arthur guests on 'Permanent Vacation', and was introduced by Michael at the start of his opening set.

14 November 2004 - Fort William Gardens, Thunder Bay, Canadasupport: Charlie Mars
set: Around The Sun / Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / The Wake-Up Bomb / Boy In The Well / Cuyahoga / High Speed Train / Imitation Of Life / So Fast, So Numb / Leaving New York / Star 69 / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Sweetness Follows / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon

15 November 2004 - Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg, Canadasupport: Charlie Mars
set: Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / The Wake-Up Bomb / Drive / Animal / Boy In The Well / Imitation Of Life / High Speed Train / I've Been High / Leaving New York / Orange Crush / Strange Currencies / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Live And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: 'Pop Song 89' was listed on the setlist as the first song of the encore, but was substituted with 'So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)' as a request for someone in the audience holding a sign requesting it

17 November 2004 - Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Canadasupport: Charlie Mars
set: Finest Worksong / Begin The Begin / Get Up / Animal / Boy In The Well / Drive / High Speed Train / The Wake-Up Bomb / The Outsiders / Imitation Of Life / Leaving New York / Orange Crush / I Wanted To Be Wrong / The One I Love / Final Straw / Losing My Religion / Walk Unafraid / Life And How To Live It
encore: What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / (Don't Go Back To) Rockville / Pilgrimage / Permanent Vacation / I'm Gonna DJ / Man On The Moon
notes: 'Electrolite' was on the setlist, but 'Pilgrimage' was played instead as a request